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In Yemen—specifically Hadhramout—women and girls face a disproportionate burden of the ongoing humanitarian and economic crises. These pressures have intensified risks of exclusion and psychosocial distress. However, through the Life-Saving Multi-Sectoral Project, implemented by All Girls Foundation for Development (AGF) and funded by the Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF), these vulnerabilities are being transformed into resilience. The following success stories showcase how integrated support can restore dignity and renew hope.
Breaking Barriers:
Fatima’s Path to Inclusion, Confidence, and Resilient Livelihoods
SUCCESS STORY
As part of the Life-Saving Multi-Sectoral Project, funded by the Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF) and implemented by All Girls Foundation for Development, targeted interventions are creating meaningful and lasting change for vulnerable women and girls in Al-Shihr District, Hadramout Governorate.
Fatima, a 27-year-old woman from the host community, is a powerful example of how inclusive, survivor-centered programming can restore dignity, purpose, and hope. Fatima is a person with special needs who has experienced lifelong social exclusion, further exacerbated by challenging economic and social circumstances.
Fatima lost her father at an early age and is responsible for supporting herself and her sister, who also has a disability. Due to the family’s limited financial resources, Fatima was unable to access specialized education, medical assessments, or hearing support devices. This exclusion from education, employment, and community life significantly affected her psychological well-being, leaving her feeling marginalized and without a sense of belonging.
Through outreach and case identification, Fatima was enrolled at the Psychosocial Support (PSS) Center at General Shihr Hospital, where she received social support
and multiple psychosocial counseling sessions provided by specialized staff. These services played a critical role in improving her mental well-being, rebuilding her self-confidence, and supporting her social integration.
During follow-up, the team identified Fatima’s interest and talent in handicrafts and tailoring. In response, she was selected as a beneficiary of the project’s skills kit support, enabling her to begin practicing her skills professionally. With the provision of equipment and tools, Fatima was able to start working independently, transform her hobby into productive work, and generate a sustainable source of income.
Fatima explains:
“I used to feel marginalized and without value in society. After registering with the Foundation, sitting with the team, and receiving the machine and tools, I began working and practicing what I love. Today, I have a source of income, and I feel that I exist and can serve my community.”
Today Fatima demonstrates clear improvement across psychological, social, and economic dimensions. She continues to receive regular follow-up and encouragement from the PSS Center to ensure the sustainability of her progress. In the long term, Fatima aspires to open her own small workshop, further strengthening her economic independence and supporting her family.
Fatima’s story highlights the transformative impact of inclusive GBV, psychosocial, and livelihoods interventions, particularly for women and girls with disabilities. It underscores the importance of donor support in promoting social inclusion, economic empowerment, and the right of every individual to live with dignity and purpose.
Annex Video You can view a video of Fatima producing garments after receiving her Skill Kit from the project:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Y4soAkE7nQk
Rising with Dignity:
Samia’s Path to Resilience and Recovery
SUCCESS STORY
As part of the Life-Saving Multi-Sectoral Project, funded by the Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF) and implemented by All Girls Foundation for Development, targeted interventions are creating meaningful and lasting change for vulnerable women and girls in Al-Shihr District, Hadhramout Governorate.
Alienation under the “family” roof:
In the narrow streets of Al-Shihr, Samia (21 years old) was not living a typical youth life. After losing her father in childhood and then her mother—her only support—less than a year ago, she found herself orphaned and alone, facing an uncertain future. Samia lives with her younger brother in her paternal family’s house, but the walls offered no warmth; instead, they closed in on her under severe verbal abuse from her uncle and constant threats of eviction at any moment.
Samia describes those difficult days:
“Stress and anxiety were my constant companions. I lost the ability to sleep, constantly thinking about where my brother and I would go if we were thrown out. We had no one, especially after my mother’s death, and we lived amid nightmares of loss, poverty, and the ongoing threat of homelessness.”
Through outreach and case identification, Samia was enrolled at the Psychosocial Support (PSS) Center at Al-Shihr General Hospital, where she received social support and multiple psychosocial counseling sessions provided by specialized staff.
These services played a critical role in improving her mental well-being, rebuilding her self-confidence, and helping her cope with the challenges she faced.
During follow-up, the team identified Samia’s interest and potential in cooking. She was provided with a skills kit, enabling her to begin practicing her abilities. With the tools and guidance, Samia was able to start working independently, transform her small kitchen into a productive space, and regain a sense of stability and hope for the future.
Samia explains:
“I felt lost and alone after losing my parents, and I didn’t know how to support myself or my brother. After enrolling at the support center and receiving my skills kit, I was able to start working. Today, I have hope, I feel capable, and I can take care of my brother while contributing in my own way.”
Today, Samia demonstrates remarkable resilience and progress in overcoming the challenges she has faced. She continues to receive regular support and encouragement from the PSS Center, ensuring the sustainability of her efforts over time. Looking ahead, Samia plans to expand her activity into a small production facility with fixed sales points, providing her with a stable livelihood while contributing positively to her community.
Samia’s story illustrates the transformative impact of integrated psychosocial and livelihoods support, highlighting how targeted assistance can help women and girls overcome adversity, regain stability, and pursue opportunities to thrive with confidence and dignity.
Restoring Dignity Through Opportunity
Iqaf’s Journey Toward Self-Reliance
SUCCESS STORY
Under the Life-Saving Multi-Sectoral Project funded by the Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF) and implemented by All Girls Foundation for Development, vulnerable women in Al-Shihr District, Hadhramout Governorate 2025-2026, are being given a second chance to rebuild their lives with dignity.
Iqaf, a 32-year-old woman from the host community, carries the heavy responsibility of supporting a family of ten members, including elderly relatives who depend on her for daily care. Deprived of education and trapped in a cycle of poverty, debt, and overwhelming psychological pressure, Iqaf lived for years with no stable source of income, struggling to meet even the most basic needs of her household while facing constant emotional exhaustion and family stress.
Iqaf’s situation began to change when she was identified and enrolled in the Psychosocial Support Center at Al-Shihr Hospital, where she received regular psychosocial counseling sessions provided by specialized staff. These sessions played a critical role in easing her psychological distress, restoring her sense of self-worth, and helping her regain emotional balance after years of hardship. During continuous follow-up, the project team recognized her hidden skills and personal potential talents that had long been overshadowed by crisis and responsibility. In response, she was provided with a skills kit (hairdressing) that enabled her to transform her abilities into productive work and begin offering services within her community.
Today, Iqaf no longer sees herself as powerless. Through her work, she has secured a sustainable source of income that has improved her family’s living conditions, reduced financial stress, and strengthened household stability. More importantly, she has regained confidence, dignity, and a renewed sense of purpose. Iqaf’s story stands as a powerful example of how integrated psychosocial and livelihoods support can turn vulnerability into resilience, proving that when women are given the right tools and support, they can rise above hardship and become agents of change for themselves and their families.